[Printer Friendly Version]   [How to E-mail This Article to A Friend]

AROUND THE WORLD 3: Canadian Vocalist Shines In Jazz Contest

Toronto born, Ottawa-based jazz vocalist, Kellylee Evans, was awarded second place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition. It is the highest a vocalist from Canada has ever placed. She was one of thirteen semi-finalists selected from a pool of 167 applicants from around the world. The contest was open to singers under the age of 30 who intend on pursuing a career in jazz performance.

The semi-finals of the competition were held on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at the Smithsonian Institute with an illustrious list of judges deliberating over the results. Renowned vocalists Kurt Elling, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jimmy Scott and Flora Purim narrowed the pool down to four top vocalists after over 3 hours of performances from the thirteen semi-finalists. Each vocalist was asked to perform three standards.

The finals of competition, sponsored by General Motors, were held at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, DC, Monday, September 13, 2004. The sold out show featured star-studded performances throughout the night from such heavy-weights in the jazz community as Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath and Terence Blanchard along with the judges, who included Al Jarreau and Quincy Jones.

The renowned international competition has been put on by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, a non-profit education organization, since 1987. It has developed a reputation for launching the careers of aspiring jazz artists, including pianists Marcus Roberts and Jacky Terrasson, saxophonist Joshua Redman, vocalists Jane Monheit, Tierney Sutton and the late Teri Thornton, and trumpeter Ryan Kisor. Each year, more than $60,000 in scholarships and prizes are awarded to talented young musicians and composers. Ms. Evans was awarded a $10,000 scholarship.

The competition focuses on a different instrument every year and features an outstanding all-star judging panel. Branford Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Marian McPartland, and Diana Krall have all served as judges at past competitions.

First prize in the competition for Jazz Saxophone in 2002 was won by another Canadian, Seamus Blake.

Kellylee Evans is slated to release her independent CD, “Fight or Flight?” after the competition this fall. The CD was recorded in New York City and features some of the NY jazz community’s finest musicians. Lonnie Plaxico, past musical director for Cassandra Wilson, co-produced the project which showcases songs written entirely by Kellylee Evans. Plaxico has played with such greats as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon and Wynton Marsalis. Article courtesy of PRWeb

For information on Rupert’s Kids visit www.rupertskids.org


Write your own story telling us what you think about this article!

Read AROUND THE WORLD 4: International Chess Club